Plant Q&A

Q. I am growing some datil peppers in containers that I believe are experiencing iron deficiency. The pH of the soil is slightly high. Will lowering the pH correct the iron problem?

A. Iron is less available to plants at certain pH levels and your soil could be contributing to it. To lower pH a sulfur product is used. When allied to the soil, it, along with water, makes an acid that reduces soil pH. Because of this sulfur, use is not recommended in containers. Soil amending should have been done before planting. Apply iron as a spray to the plants or look for a chelated form of iron that is formulated for high pH.

Q. We had our well water tested and it is running at 2,300 parts per million dissolved salts. We were told that this is high. The shrubbery is doing OK but what flowers can we plant and how should we manage our irrigation system?

A. When you have high salts you want to water by leaching. Instead of watering every other day, water weekly but heavily. This heavy watering will leach salts instead of accumulating them as when shallow, frequent watering is done. Some perennial flowering plants that have good salt tolerance include, agapanthus, day lily, dune daisy, gaillardia, horse mint, portulaca and lantana.

Q. The flowers have faded on my tulips. Now, how do I treat the plants?

A. Tulips here will usually only flower once. This is because we get too warm for the plants to have a long growing season and the plants do not store enough energy for the next flowering cycle. You can try to grow the bulbs out in a slight shade situation and when the plants yellow and fade collect the bulbs. Dry the bulbs in a ventilated place and then store them in a bag in a cool, dry place. Late in the fall, place the bulbs in your refrigerator for six weeks and then plant them out.

Q. I have a satsuma tree that, in the last week or so, has been drying out and now many leaves are just hanging lifeless on the tree. What can I do for the plant?

A. Usually plants do not go down this fast due to natural causes. If you can rule out that no fertilizing or pesticides were used around the trees lately, and can see no wounded bark or leaf spot on the foliage, then the problem has to be in the root system. You can apply a fungicide drench to the tree using a product like Cosan. In addition, you can feed the tree lightly and hope the satsuma will outgrow the infection.

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Keith Fuller will answer your gardening questions. Telephone him at 824-4551 and leave your questions on his answering machine. Answers will appear on the gardening page the following Saturday.